Participants in the Ukraine–Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) Summit discussed the most pressing issues for strengthening our country in view of the coming winter and Russia’s further aggressive plans.

Together with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the summit was attended by President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs, and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre. Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrún Frostadóttir and Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson joined online.

The Head of State thanked the NB8 countries for standing with Ukraine throughout all these years of Russia’s full-scale aggression.

The President emphasized that everyone understands Russia’s plans for this fall and winter. Ballistic missiles remain the main threat. Ukraine is grateful to all partners already working within the FREYJA anti-ballistic program. It is important to ensure steady progress along this path.

“I also want to thank those of you who are helping us with missiles for air defense. This is our first priority under constant Russian attacks. Every missile means lives saved. Please continue this work. I'm thankful to all the countries who represent these big nations who are here for the PURL program,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

According to the President, it is also important to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia. In particular, sanctions should target all Russian companies and individuals involved in the production of ballistic missiles, as well as schemes around the world that help their production.

In addition, one of the key tasks is supporting Ukraine’s energy sector, securing gas supplies for this winter, and ensuring the necessary reserve of equipment. Another challenge is Russia’s strikes on Ukrainian ports, which affect food supplies to the global market.

Financial support for Ukraine’s resilience is also extremely important. Because of the way the Ministry of Defense budget is structured, funds that had been planned for the end of the year have already been used to purchase more drones and cover other urgent defense needs.

This overall $27 billion deficit can be covered by bringing forward to this year part of the European loan financing planned for 2027. In particular, around €10 billion is needed to ensure that our warriors have weapons in January and February that are already being produced, including in Europe. It is important to make the necessary decisions at the European level.

Special attention was also given to opening the remaining four negotiating clusters for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.

The Prime Minister of Estonia noted that Ukraine is fighting for the freedom of all of Europe and everyone in the free world, and therefore no one has the right to grow tired of supporting Ukraine. Kristen Michal called for increasing pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet and advancing work on frozen assets.

The Prime Minister of Norway emphasized that the highest-priority issues are air defense, including the implementation of the FREYJA anti-ballistic project, Ukraine’s energy capabilities ahead of the fall and winter period, as well as investment.

The President of Finland noted that the Nordic and Baltic countries are working to coordinate their steps in order to support Ukraine as effectively as possible and develop various areas of cooperation. Finland is preparing its next defense support package and energy assistance ahead of winter. Finnish defense companies are already developing close cooperation with their Ukrainian counterparts.

The President of Lithuania noted the unity of all summit participants in discussing military support for Ukraine, stronger sanctions against Russia, and the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. The President of Lithuania emphasized that European integration is an extremely important component of security guarantees for Ukraine. Lithuania is ready to contribute to this, including during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027.

The Prime Minister of Latvia noted that drone production needs to be increased both in Ukraine and in other countries. In addition, it is important that, ahead of winter, together with the European Commission, funding was secured to provide Ukraine with the necessary equipment for its energy system.

The Prime Minister of Denmark emphasized that all summit participants support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO. According to Mette Frederiksen, for the Russian leader, this war is not only against Ukraine – it is also driven by his desire to determine the future of Europe and the borders of its countries.

This was the second Ukraine–NB8 Summit. The first summit in this format was also held in Kyiv on February 24, 2026, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.